The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-31
REV. VESTS VILLAINY.
Visit to His Home at Observation-Disclosures
with His Wife and Miss Becks Parents.

Chesterton Letter in St. Louis Republican.
Your spondent to-day pushed his nves-
tigation of the West-Beck matter and the re-
sui t was the discovery of many facts bear
ing the AS has already been told West
put in an appearance here on Monday, the Goth
inst, and went directly 70 his home When the
stories of the Abbott affair in st. Louis reached
here the next day, Tuesday, the idea that the
St. Louis silver platter and the Chester
ton preacher were only two characters
assumed by one man was suggested. Wednes
day it was discovered that West was again miss
ing, and then the belief grew almost to a GER
tainty. On the next day, Thursday, your
correspondent now learns. committee composed
of the leading mem bers of the church West for
mery presided over, visited the house of Mrs.
West, and endeavored to learn If she could
throw any light his conduct, if be had
made a confession to her. Their efforts in this
direction appear to have been frurless
It is also learned to-day that when West re-
turned here he Immediately set on foot
a scheme to regain his standing in the commu-
nifty. He went directly to the editor of the
local paper and sought to have article pub
lished contradicting all stories of scandaous
character concerning himself and Susie Beck
He also went to members of his church and
begged them to use their influence to shut the
paper up. His hope was to have it appear that
he insane, had been wandering around have
the ST. Louis matter hushed up, gain a new
church trial and be indicated from any crime
He threatened to bring suit against the elder of
the church to force new trial But the St
Louis affair being discovered his plan failed.
In his search for the truth your correspond
to-day called on Mrs West the worse
than widow. He found her practically a marble
until the fact mentioned that a
search for her husband in progress, then
she expressed great anxiety to know the re-
suits of the search. When asked if she had
any idea when her husband left home she re-
piled:
NO have not Several of the church mem
bers came in during Tuesday evening and
held prayermeetine and sang songs that
my mother used to sing. Pa seemed to be
depressed and When Brother Castleman came
in he said. Good evening brother. l am glad
you came for may meet again"
They stad until IL o'clock. Pa seemed tired
and after they had gone we went up stairs to
bed. The children were tired and cross: Won
know they have been night and day for the
last five weeks and were fretful. I called the
hired girl, Addie Miles, upstairs just before
retired and got her to take Oracle to bed with
her. They slept down stairs. Pa was in bed
when she came up About o'clock Freddy woke
up sick. got UP to attend to him and Pa was
in bed then. l went back to bed and went to
sleep. l woke at and found him gone. | got
up and ran down stairs to Adcle and said. PAS
gone and / can't find him, get up The back
door wide open; looked all around the
barn. and then. after hunting hour, gave the
alarm. All his clothes are here except a suit of
Jeans that be wore while working for Stude-
baker. The revolver is gone | thought at
first that he had gone away naked. but now
don't HIS pictures are gone. and he must
have got them. / have one tintype that was in
an old album that he didn't take, AID it is the
only left"
Mrs West, when you heard the telegram
read to Mr. West and the accusation made that
he was Thomas Abbott, did you know that his
name was Abbott
Yes but didn't think of it at the time.
After you left asked him what you meant He
said he didn't know, and thought it was funny
should think of such thing"
Didn't You suspect something wrong2"
Eyes. I always have, but couldn't think it
was so bad. When he went away the first time